In this post we discuss why building resilience with resistance training will improve your golf.
When we think about the purpose of training for sport, we often focus on performance. In golf that might be the length of your drive, or your club head speed.
Integral to performance however, is your ability to reproduce that form over and over again, with minimal variation, for long periods of time.
Nowhere is this more important than on the golf course, where the difference between a good drive and a poor one can be millimetres.
Add in the fact that golf competitions are often multi-day events, and some amateurs think nothing of playing 36 holes in a day, you can see why resilience matters.
What is resilience in golf?
Resilience in golf means:
- Withstanding the physical strain of repetitive swings
- Maintaining energy and focus during long rounds
- Bouncing back from bad shots or mental slumps
- Preventing injury and staying consistent over seasons
Injury prevention = longevity
One of the key aspects of improving in any sport is being able to practice regularly. That means staying free of injury and pain.
The golf swing is a high-torque, repetitive motion that places stress on the spine, shoulders, hips, and wrists. Over time, this can lead to overuse injuries, especially in the lower back.
This study found resistance training reduced sports injuries to less than 1/3 and overuse injuries by almost 50%.
Enhanced power with control
Club head speed and driving distance are key metrics in modern golf—and both are improved by resistance training.
Resistance training develops the muscles involved in the swing, including those of the hips, glutes and torso, all of which are essential for rotational power and swing control.
This review found resistance training improved club head speed by 6% in some studies and driving distance by 5%.
Mental toughness through physical challenge
Mental resilience is crucial in golf, and physical training can help build the psychological toughness required to grind through tough rounds.
Consistent resistance training creates a form of mental discipline—practicing failure, persistence, and holding form under fatigue are all relevant to golf performance.
Faster recovery between rounds
Muscle strength and conditioning can affect how quickly you recover between rounds or practice sessions.
This translates to more consistent performance in tournaments and less physical wear and tear over a long season.
Confidence in your body
Lastly, confidence in golf comes not just from technique, but from knowing your body is strong and prepared.
The stronger and more balanced your body feels, the more trust you will place in your swing under pressure.
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